Music Victoria’s founding CEO Patrick Donovan is exiting

Patrick Donovan is leaving Music Victoria, the trade body he helped establish a decade ago.

A former journalist, Donovan was appointed as the organisation’s inaugural CEO back in August 2010.

“A lot has changed since then and it’s been wonderful to have played a part in a dynamic body in this creative and passionate industry,” he says in a statement issued Friday afternoon.

“Ten years seemed like a logical time to pass on the baton to a new CEO who can build on our work over the last decade.’’

Donovan will be a tough act to follow. A straight-shooter and a music fan, the Melbourne scene-builder brought tenacity to the job. When needed, he rolled up his sleeves.

Music Victoria Chair Sally Howland and Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley paid thanks to Donovan for the impact he made.

His tenure as founding CEO is marked with an impressive list of achievements, notes Howland, including the Agent of Change legislation, establishment of the VMDO, the Music Victoria Awards and targeted skills development programs – Live Music Professionals and Cultivate, the women’s leadership program.

In recent times, he has overseen a surge in the peak body’s Membership, which now stands at 6,000.

“Never one to take a backward step, he has been a true champion for our music business,” she says. “Undoubtedly passionate, staunchly loyal, and ever tenacious. He is a good man to have on your team.”

With Paddy at the helm, Music Victoria has “grown into a significant voice for local music,” notes Foley. “Music Victoria is now the leading champion for live and local music not only for our state but on a national and international level.”

It’s unclear what will be Donovan’s next move. He’ll stay on with Music Victoria to assist the board in recruiting his successor.

Read the full statement here.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.